10/15 By the Tide and a Dozen thoughts

Good Morning,

Happy Sale Day!  There are so many items on sale including the clearance rack, I don't event know where to begin on today's post!  The cute silver basics buttons used on this card are currently on the clearance rack for only $2.39 a pack!  I'll talk about how I made this card in a few moments, but I want to first tell you about the weekly deals from Stampin' Up! this week.  They are amazing!  I love the Stampin' Up! Self adhesive Pearls! 

So a quick note, when you put the item in your card, the discount doesn't show up till you are checking out, but you will get the discount before you check out. 

 

	Argyle Textured Impressions Item # 127750   Regular Price: $7.95 US Discounted Price: $5.96 US
	Basic Pearl Jewels Item #119247 Regular Price: $4.95 US Discounted Price: $3.71 US
	Deco Labels Collection Framelits Dies Item # 130102 Regular Price: $24.95 US Discounted Price: $18.71 US
	In Color Dahlia's Item # 127556 Regular Price: $7.95 US Discounted Price: $5.96 US
	Sophisticated Spook Ensemble Digital Download Item #131513 Regular Price: $14.95 US Discounted Price: $7.48 US
	Sweet Treat Cups Item #116802 Regular Price: $2.95 US Discounted Price: $2.21 US

Too Exciting!!  So how about more details on this adorable Lobster Card? 

The AWESOME Lobster comes from the By The Tide Stamp Set, and The words, you made my day come from the REALLY cute stamp set A Dozen Thoughts. 

I used a real red ink pad for both the lobster and the sentiment. 

The designer Paper comes from a paper stack called I AM ME.  Love that, and I love the colors and bright happy paper.

I came up with the idea of this card for my daughter's 3rd grade teacher.  Her favorite food is lobster, and this is the layout that came into my head.  Really happy design and I didn't even use the big shot!  Gasp!  :) 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you're inspired to stamp something fun!  

Much Love,

Selene Kempton

Creative Coach
Thank you for your orders with me  Shop here anytime!

3/6 Little Friends and Occasions Alphabet and More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper

Good Evening Friends,

If you placed an online order with me Last month or attended my open house, you may be getting one of these pretty friendship cards in the mail this week! 

My good friend Jenny sat down and helped me watercolor a bunch of them and honestly, I had a ball with her!  :) 

If you are interested on how to watercolor with markers, I did a tutorial here.

Measurements:

The Real Red Base Layer measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and is scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half.

The large hearts DSP layer is 5 1/4 x 2 3/4" and the small hearts is 5 1/4" x 1 3/4"

The very vanilla strip across the front measures 1/2" wide and was cut down from 4 1/4"

Here's another look at this pretty card.

Stamps: Little Friends and Occasions Alphabet stamp sets
Ink: real red, primrose petals, soft suede, and pool party, and More Amore Designer Series Paper
Paper: Real red, very vanilla, watercolor paper, primrose petals
Accessories: markers and aquapainters, self adhesive rhinestones

Want to see more examples of Watercoloring with markers?  Click here to see more samples!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful night!

Love,
Selene Kempton
Stampin' Up! Creative Coach
My Stampin' Up! Store 

3/3 Triple Layered Heat Embossed Everything Eleanor Vintage Thank you with Fan Fair Designer Paper

Good Morning Friends!

Have you seen enough of the Fan Fair product suite this week?  This GORGEOUS Stamp set Everything Eleanor layers beautifully with heat embossing.

I'm so excited to share this wonderful card with you.  It's so romantic!

I am in LOVE with the idea of multiple layers of embossing. When you heat emboss on top of another heat embossed layer, you can layer your embossing like you layer paper. It's so fun! I'm not sure that this is the most beautiful card I've ever made, but I'm in LOVE with the process.

First, right on the fan fair DSP, I embossed flourishes with clear embossing powder.

Next, I sponged right on top of it with soft suede ink, and used a paper towel to wipe away the ink on top of the embossed image.

Then, I embossed with vanilla embossing powder right on top. If that wasn't enough I embossed a THIRD time using Gold. I punched a hole in either side of my embossed flower so that the ribbon would not interfere with my pretty gold flower. Too fun!

Shabby Chic and delicious!  :)

Here is the original challenge:
CCREW0313CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Catalog Focus: Check out the Fan Fair Product Suite in the IBC, pp.106-117. Romance us with Elements of Style or Everything Eleanor. Take us away with Postage Due or Papillon Potpourri. Intrigue us with Daydream Medallions or Nature's Price. Choose any of the beautiful stamp sets in this suite and amaze us!

Here is another straight on view of this card.  I just love the gold with the suede and pink pirouette.

Have a wonderful Sunday!
Love,

Selene
My Stampin' Up! Store

3/2 Stampin' Up! Lacy & Lovely, with Fan Fair Designer Paper Thank you

Good Morning Friends! 

Remember the pretty image on the designer paper from yesterday? Well, this Designer paper is the flip side!  Pair it up with a few simple images from the GORGEOUS Lacy & Lovely Stamp set and you've got some vintage beauty!  :) 

This close up photo shows the focal point with one of the Large Pearls from Stampin Up!  I used a marker to ink up the Indigo medallion and then punched it out with the 1 3/4" circle punch.  Underneath is an Island Indigo 2 3/8" scalloped circle. 

The idea for this card came from the work I did for this month's Stampin' Up! creative crew challenge over on Split Coast Stampers.

Here's the original challenge:
DSP/Color Focus: Let's soar with the wonderful Fan Fair dsp and island indigo, which will be gone soon. Create a project with island indigo and fan fair dsp or some of the colors in that dsp. You must use island indigo, though.

I thought I would stay true to the challenge and my Island Indigo card monochromatic.  So I'm just using that color with Vanilla!  What do you think?

 For the background, I stamped the Thank you, also from the same stamp set on my Very Vanilla Cardstock.  Then, I embossed the Vanilla Layer with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder.  I took a sponge and gently sponged some Indigo Ink on that layer to make the embossing pop!  I added the layer of Fan Fair Designer Series Paper (DSP) to the top of that then ran my vintage ribbon and added a bow using a few glue dots. 

I just love the vintage style, and even more than that I love that I have a thank you to send out to a friend!  I am a little behind on my thank you's.  I have about 15 going out after my open house last week, so I really need to get to work!  :) 

If you are interested in what the other designers are doing with this challenge, you can check out the gallery here. Thanks so much for stopping by today and letting me share my artwork with you!  Have a great weekend!

Love,

Selene
My Stampin' Up! Store

1/17 Stampin' Up! Oh, Hello ~ Spring Color Combination Challenge

Good Morning Friends!

It's good to be back home!  I created this project for my monthly team meeting which was scheduled the day after I got home.  I love sharing my experience from an event, while it's fresh in my mind.    When I was creating this make and take, I was pretty tired from lack of sleep while I was away.  Yep! I had fun!  I created this card with my all time favorite color combination for spring!

So, here it is:

Here is the project I made for my team to create at the post Leadership meeting. I got this set, Oh Hello for free, as a Manager, I got 4 stamp sets in all to use in my business.  I love new rubbah!

I love that you can get this stamp set also in a bundle with the oval framelits!  Everyone needs Ovals!  Totally!  This is a link to the bundle as well.  I didn't get the ovals yet, I was hoping it would be in one of the giveaways, because we knew we were getting this set!  :)

Anyway, this card is so simple!  First, we took the rose red layer, and embossed it with the cheveron embossing folder.  Then, we took a rose red ink pad to the top of the paper and rubbed it on, direct to paper.

I love how the images layer on the focal point of this card.  First I stamped my big Easter Egg ~ sorry, doesn't the oval look like an Easter Egg??, (also in the Chevron pattern) and layered the ink on top.  I cut the flower out and popped that up on dimensionals.  We added dazzling details using a two way glue pen to the flower.

I always tell my friends who stamp with me that you can have just as much a "WOW" effect from layering your ink as you can from layering your paper.  When in doubt, add another layer!

Speaking of additional layers, did you happen to notice the cute button, bling and ribbon.  I used some leftover scraps to make a small tag (that's rose red seam binding) and then added a so saffron button.  I thought about using paper to make a strip so it looked like a stitch, then added some bling!  :)

Here comes the challenge part!  Why not try this color combination on for yourself?  I'd love to see what you  create!  When you are done, you can email me, or post it somewhere on line and enter your link below!  :)  I bet you can make beautiful things with this color combination!

Selene Kempton
My Stampin' Up! Store

8/22 Stampin' Up! Friendship Preserves and Orchard Harvest Core'dinations

Good Morning Friends!

I had a wonderful team meeting last night.  This was my swap card.  For this month's meeting we found a random sketch online and used that for the swap.  The cards are gorgeous.  Maybe I'll get to share them as the week goes on.

I think you know how much I LOVE this new 3 1/2" scalloped tulle ribbon. Seriously, just tie your shoes and fluff and you get a gorgeous bow every single time.  It makes me so happy! :)  I have been using up some of my packets from my stamp club so some of my colors have been repetitive, but I don't want to waste supplies.

So next I took my Core'dinations cardstock and ran it through the big shot.  When I did this in club I noticed that on the "normal" setting of tab 1 it made the paper fragile.  So, I tried running it through on the "no tabs" setting and it was much better! I'll be using no tabs for embossing my Core'dinations from now on.  After it came out of the big shot, I sanded the cardstock with the new Stampin' Sanding Block.  I love that you can buy refills for the block separately and keep the one block the better part is, the refills are just under $2.  woohoo!

The stamp set, friendship preserves is sold by itself, or in a bundle with the framelit dies that match perfectly.  When you get the bundle together, it's priced to save you a little money, and that's something I can celebrate for sure! :)  I inked the thanks with markers, then used the big shot to cut the thanks out with the coordinating framelit.  I sponged the outside of that layer with raspberry ripple ink.    Finally I followed the sketch and added some designer paper.  I really like how this one turned out.

I spent some time over the weekend, canning up some of the extra cucumbers from my garden.  This stamp set really speaks to me.  I believe that making strawberry jam, and jarring my own pickles will be new family tradition.  I did all the cutting, my daughter stuffed the jars, and my hubby made the mix and finished the process.  It was an awesome family activity.

I've started to dress up the jars to give as gifts.  It's fun that we grew the cucumbers and did it all ourselves.  When I have one done, I'll have to show it to you.  The new fall fabric has one pattern in particular that is perfect for decorating my jars of dill pickles.

I digress...
How about a shopping list!
Stamps: Friendship Preserves Wood Mount OR Clear Mount
Framelits:  Preserved Framelit dies
OR you can get the bundle (which includes both stamps and framelits) to save money: Clear Mount, Wood Mount
Paper: Orchard Harvest Designer series paper, Core'dinations cardstock, 3 1/2" scalloped tulle ribbon, Stampin' Sanding Block.

See you tomorrow for another fun project share!

Selene Kempton
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Stampin' Up! Life Shared ~ Yes! I made it! and some amazing pictures

Good Afternoon Friends!



I'm writing today from vacation up in the white mountains of New Hampshire.  I've done quite a bit of stamping before this week, and didn't bring any stamping with me on a much needed vacation. 

It's a little chilly for these bones to be swimming in the pool today.  It's only 73 degrees outside.  My hubby took my daughter over to the pool.  I've been wanting to share something so very special with all of you and I've been caught up in taking a little time off.  I wasn't feeling very good at the end of last week and wanted to take a little time out to take care of myself. 


Before my hubby woke this morning, I grabbed my little one and walked the campground.  It's good, and I need to get back to taking walks in the morning. 

Yesterday we did a little shopping to support the economy up in North Conway.  We did our part.  ;-)  So, the big question has been if I earned the trip to Fiji with Stampin' Up! 

The short answer is yes!  I earned the trip thanks to LOTS of orders and wonderful friends who support me while I stay at home and am there for my daughter.  Every single order of glue dots and stamp sets make a huge difference to me!  So, yes I earned it, thanks to so many of you!! :)  I'm sure it will be a trip of a lifetime and I'm ever so thankful to my team and friends.  It's hard to call your "friends" by the title of customer. 

This year has been quite a journey, and I'm thankful to so many people.  I'm also thankful to God who continues to bless my life by bringing so many wonderful crafters into my life.  

So the card above is from the stamp set Life shared 126820. This is a single stamp in stampin up's catalog on page 60.  When I assembled this wood mounted stamp set, I cut the words apart from the image and attached it to the side of my block, so if I want just the words, I have that, and if I just want the kids in the wagon, I have that too!  :) 

Using black stazon ink, I stamped the focal point on watercolor paper, and colored it with markers and an aqua painter.  I started by drawing "L's" on different parts that I wanted to color and just moved the color over, making sure to leave some parts uncolored.  The best water colorists, in my opinion, know what NOT to color.  To check out a step by step marker water coloring tutorial, check out this post. I often get the question of "why do you use stazon ink so much", well, stazon doesn't move when you want to watercolor on top of it. 

I found the cute riding hood red taffeta ribbon on the clearance rack and just made a faux bow with the vintage brad.  I used the framed tulips embossing folder, and sponged the outside with riding hood red classic ink.  

Stamps: 126820 Life Shared

Ink: Rich Regals Markers, Aqua Painters, stazon ink black (to stamp on the watercolor paper)

Paper: Crumb Cake Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Watercolor Paper

So ~ after doing some shopping yesterday in New Hampshire, we took a ride up "The Kanc".  That's the Kancamangus highway that cuts up and over a mountain.  There are lots of scenic areas along the way and of course we stopped.  If you are not friends with me on Facebook, make sure you "friend" me, so you can see the rest of the photos we got.  it was a glorious day up on the mountain.  :)  God showed us so many of his paintings including this tree at the Hancock Trailhead off the Kanc.  I had so much fun just taking some pictures and spending time with Brian and Alexis. 

We also saw a fabulous rainbow or two.  We were told that there was a double at one point, but we didn't see that one.   Here's one that I saw and got a quick photo of. 

And finally, here's a photo of my two best buds.  This is my hubby Brian and daughter Alexis at one of the outlook points.  My favorite photo of the day for sure.  :)

So, there is one more thing!  (Speaking of reason's to smile). 

If you decide to place an order with me this month, stampin up is running a sale on the Reason to smile stamp set.  Place a $50 order through my website (or your demonstrator if you have one), before tax and shipping and get the reason to smile stamp set in clear or wood for only $5! 

This GORGEOUS set will only be around for the month of July, so don't miss out on getting yours! 

Here are the links for the
Wood mount stamp set 131274
or the Clear mount stamp set 131275

Note the links or item numbers will only work after selecting $50 in merchandise in my online store first. :)

So ~ just another reason I LOVE Stampin' Up!  They created samples for us to look at!  Check out these cute items made with the reason to smile stamp set!  Just print this fun sheet if you have the stamp set and you'll be able to come back to it over and over again. 

Well that's all for today.. I *might* have more to share this week, but honestly I'm going to go spend some time with the family and try and relax a little!  :)  I actually left my stamping stuff at home!  :)

Rubbah hugs!
Selene Kempton

Grateful, Stampin' Up! 6/7/12 Moutwatering and Pursuit of Happiness

Good Afternoon Friends!

Don't adjust your punches!  Check out the cute scalloped frame I made on the focal point of this card!  It was very easy to make using the scalloped oval punch.  It's not perfect, but it makes an AWESOME matte for your 2 1/2 circle punched images!   I love a clean and simple card that pop's like this! 

I'm sorry that I've been blogger MIA.  I'm VERY excited to be sharing with you that I'm only about $1248, in sales from earning a trip to Fiji for my husband and I. I can't even wrap my head around that!  If I get there, it will set the record for being far away from home for me! 

I'm totally excited and I've booked myself solid for workshops through the end of the month to try and achieve that goal.  I'm also in line for a performance bonus that is equal to my daughter's tuition for a WHOLE year at St. Michael's School.  For my family and I, this would be HUGE; knowing that we could take care of a year's tuition!  I'm quite a bit away from the bonus but I'm going to try for it. I can't afford to put the money in, so I will just do my best and ask for help from my friends.  It's certainly not hard to spend a little in this new catalog (which is just amazing).   Like so many things in life, I won't get there for sure if I don't try!  :)

I only have until the end of June to reach BOTH goals, so I've been trying very hard.  For those of you who make a purchase through me or my online store (min $25), I'll be sending you a card (maybe this one) and a new catalog if you don't already have one.  

Grateful ~ when I think about ALL the people I am Grateful for, it honestly brings me to tears. I thought about it quite a bit as I assembled this card.

First, I'm grateful to be a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  Stampin' Up! is a company with so much heart.  They stand behind their products and if something isn't perfect, they make it right. They make it easy for me to do my job and feel supported.

I'm grateful for my clients and friends who place orders with me monthly and have chosen to support my business in my time of need and all year long.  Some are long distance.  Others, I am blessed to know and spend time with creating works of heART that is shared with everyone they know.

I'm so grateful for my AMAZING team of demonstrators, Stampers With heART.  Some gals love a discount on their stamps, others need a discount to support their habit, some like a part time job and do one or two events a month, and I have a few business builders.  After 6 years, I am SO excited that a few of my girls have branched out and started clubs and they are sharing their lives and talents with others.  Let me just say, I would NEVER earn ANY trip if it wasn't for all of them!

I'm grateful for my demonstrator and crafty friends, whom I love and support, and feel the love from too.  We may be in a "sales" industry, but these classy ladies help me along.  I do my best to help them too and my life is better because of so MANY of them and all of you.

Whether you place regular orders with me or leave me a comment now and then ~ I'm feeling Grateful.  Much love to you all.  I hope that my blog inspires you to go create! 

So how about some more details about this card?  I used it in my first stamp camp of the new book this past Saturday!  :)

Supplies:

Stamps: Pursuit of Happiness and Mouthwatering

Ink: 2012-2014 in color markers (gumball green) and real red marker
Paper:  Gumball Green Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper.
Accessories: 1/8 Real red taffeta ribbon, designer "brights" buttons,  tombo multipurpose adhesive, baker's twine in white, dimensionals, Scalloped Oval punch, 2 1/2" circle punch

Measurements:
Base: Very Vanilla Cardstock 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: Gumball Green Cardstock 5 x 3 3/4"
Layer 3: Very Vanilla Cardstock 4 7/8" x 3 5/8"
Layer 4:  Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper
Layer 5:  1/8 Real red taffeta ribbon about 6" piece, glue dot on either end to hold it in place
Layer 6: 4 scalloped ovals, arranged in back of the circle to make a matte
Layer 7: 2 1/2" circle punch 
I'll have more to share soon!  Thank you so much for being you and thanks for stopping by to visit today!

Rubbah hugs,

Selene
My Stamp Store
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Papaya Collage and Summer Starfruit Sneak Peek

Good Afternoon Friends!

I really do like the vintage style, but when designing, I tend to gravitate more to clean and simple.  The new papaya collage stamp set tests my vintage scaredy cat! 

This is still not as vintage as the set will allow. I will have to play some more as I only used 2 of the 7 images in this set.

I started with the Comfort Cafe designer paper, and the sketch challenge over on split coast stampers today. 

This new designer paper is gorgeous!  He are the colors: Comfort Café ~ Cajun Craze, Midnight Muse, pool party, soft suede, Summer Starfruit, very vanilla.  


Demonstrators got the opportunity to preorder (and earn some things for free) from the new book.  yea!  The main floral image is a silhouette style stamp.  I just added 3 colors to the stamp before stamping.

I am off to do some training, but I wanted to take a moment to check in and show you what I've been stamping today. I made 12 of these.   They go together pretty quick once you get going!  :)


Have a Wonderful Wednesday!


Hugs,
Selene~
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Giving Thanks for Friendship ~ I'm back!

It's been a really wonderful week. At the beginning of November I gave my notice at the hospital for my photography position. Although I love working with newborns, the position just isn't "as advertised". My daughters' tuition is secured for the rest of this school year, so I'm moving back to stamping full time!

This week I've had several reminders that I'm doing the right thing. I really love Stampin' Up and sharing what I love and what I know. I was reminded at a workshop I did last night for Elaine and friends. I showed them all my tips and tricks for using our products with ease and was reminded that I am doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, at exactly the right time and with the right company. I'm surrounded by friends and people who love me and support my decision to return to doing what I was meant to do. Sometimes you have to go through it to see what was in front of you the whole time. I forget that everyone just doesn't make cards.. it's so second nature for me. Does that make sense? Anyway, it was a wonderful week.

This morning, I'm reminded again why this is what I'm supposed to be doing. My friend, who shall remain nameless, has some wonderful friends who want to do something nice for her and contacted me to help. They asked me what she likes and if I can help them place a "gift" order for her. Later today, she will receive this card and a few items that her friends picked out (with my assistance) so that she'll be able to enjoy making cards. Now, her friends aren't particularly crafty, they just want to make their friend happy. What a beautiful thing that is to witness! My friend, who is so deserving of such friendships is going to be so surprised and excited!

So here we go.. This is my giving thanks card for my anonymous friend who will be receiving the gift of stamping today and many of the items she will need to recreate this card!

Speaking of friends, I haven't had time to play along with the awesome sketch blog mojo monday in quite some time, and this morning, I decided to pull some inspiration from their sketch this week. So away we go...

So how about some measurements:
Base 8 1/2 x 5 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4", vanilla
Layer 2: soft suede 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
Layer 3: Morning Mocha DSP 5 x 3 3/4"
Layer 4: I punched a 2 1/2" circle from one of the patterns of cardstock, then matted it with 4 scalloped oval punches.. it makes a really wonderful background for that circle
Layer 5: 2 x 5
Layer 6: 1 3/4 x 4 1/2" dsp again. I used a square punch to make the V in the paper, then just used a pair of snips to get layer 5 to match. It makes a nice clean square.
Layer 7: soft suede 1 5/8" x 3 3 5/8 (note this is just 1/8" bigger than layer 8 to matte the sentiment)
Layer 8: Very Vanilla 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Off to go play stamping santa clause! This is how it's supposed to be! Thank goodness.

Rubbah hugs!
Selene Kempton

Mojo Monday ~ Recess & Watercolor With Markers Tutorial

Good Morning Friends!

What a cute sketch from Mojo Monday this morning! My little one is home on school vacation this week, and I'm still working on the class planner I promised! I'm hoping to have it done and up by the end of the week. I'm on it for sure!

I made a cute card yesterday for the sweet Sunday sketch challenge (and to help out the playground committee with some cards to send as thank yous), and I got an email last night from my buddy Glenda T. Her down line sent her my card.. (how excited am I that they like me??), so I decided to do a quick tutorial this morning on coloring with Stampin' Up! markers. A shout out to Patti T! Thanks so much for liking my work! There are sneak peeks all over this card... I'll tell you what those are in a moment, but before we get started, here are the measurements for my layers.

Base: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: 5 1/4" x 4, rose red
Layer 3: 5 1/8" x 3 7/8", daffodil (dont worry too much about seeing a crazy measurment, this layer is only 1/8" smaller than layer 2.. So you would just make it smaller by moving it over two lines on your paper cutter.
Layer 3a: There's a scalloped sticker under there, that I got from the simply scrappin kit.. Almost forgot to put that in the directions!
Layer 4: 4 1/8" x 3 1/8" rose red
Layer 5: Designer paper from a new simply scrappin kit coming out next month! 3x4 (note** you get 12 of these from one piece of designer paper, so with 3 sheets, you could make 36 cards).
Layer 6: 2 1/2" x 3", whisper white.
Layer 7: A self adhesive die cut from the same simply scrappin kit.. I used dimensionals to attach that on the card
Layer 8: Water colored piece, cut with a 1 3/4" circle punch. 119850

That gorgeous bow is tied with Rose Red seam binding, which I'm told will be available for purchase after the mini catalog is gone at the end of the month.. Yea!!! That bow was tied by hand using the "bunny ears" method. It's the same method I'm trying with Alexis to help her learn to tie her shoes.

The stamp set is called Recess and will be available for purchase on May 1st.

Now down to the tutorial...

1. You'll need some aqua painters, and markers to match the project you're working on. I don't like to add too many colors and try and stick to the colors that match my designer paper. The aqua painters are on page 195 (item 103954) and you get two sizes. For watercolor with markers I prefer the smaller brush size.

2. Fill your brush with water, then find something plastic to draw on with your markers. A sandwich bag, a stamp case.. anything plastic will do. Here I used a clear block.
3. Stamp your image in stazon ink. (101406 Jet Black Stazon, page 195). It's important to use an ink that's not going to move when you add water. Stazon.....stays-on.. :D

4. Draw a line with your sky color. This will be your horizon line. Pick up and "GENTLY" water down your blue color and wash it on your background, leaving your focal point white.
5. Repeat the process with the ground.. It's perfectly okay if the line isnt perfect.. Maybe she's standing on a hill! :D

If you look just to the left of her foot, I just added a patch of old olive ink there in a watery stroke. Then, the most important part is... STOP!!! :D A good artist knows when to stop, it's so important to do it sort of quickly and not over do it. If you do, the paper will only absorb so much water, unless you use watercolor paper.. Even then, quick is better. Get it on there and stop... :D
6. I colored her face with blush blossom, and her hair with daffodil, full strength. I could add some brown or black, or change the skin color if necessary.. Alexis says, "oh look mom, you are coloring ME!"

7. Add some color to one section of the focal point.. choose a corner.. in this case I did bottom left and added some color straight with my marker. Then I blended it with the aqua painter. If the line is still too defined, just go pick up a little marker color from the plastic palette you made.
8. I colored the hula hoop with a straight marker in pumpkin pie and photographed it without a flash so you could really see the colors. See how the color was just washed on for the background. I used circles with my brush when adding the color.
9. Here's the 1 3/4" circle punch. I just punched her out and stuck her down as my focal point. :D

Let me know what you think!! :D Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Recess Thank you ~ Sneak Peek

Good Afternoon Friends!

Here's a thank you card I made for the playground committee for the school across the street. When we receive a donation for the playground, I make cards for the committee president to send. This week, when I saw the sweet sunday sketch, I decided to play with my new set. I think this new set from Stampin' Up! (available May 1st) Recess, fits the bill perfectly.

I watercolored the image with markers. This new paper and stamp set will be available in the new mini catalog May 1st.

I cut a paper flower for her hair from the designer paper and another for the thank you banner.

Measurements:

Base: 11 x 4 1/4", scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 2 1/4" x 5", corner rounded
Layer 3: 2 1/8" x 4 7/8", corner rounded :D

I used the scalloped circle #2 die #113469 and the 3" circle die from the occasions mini for layers 4 and 5.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!
Selene Kempton

The Miracle of MDS ~ Free downloads and NEW downloads

My Digital Studio is one of the most AWESOME tools... Lately it's been saving me lots of time! We had a surprise retirement party for my mother in law.. (dont mind the photoshop drawing on my picture). I buzzed out the names to protect private info. :D

So ~ before I go any further.. Do you own My Digital Studio? There is a FREE upgrade for all users of the software and NEW downloads available. Click Here to go get your FREE downloads and upgrade your program.

So here is a {marked up} copy of the invitation. I designed the original copy in my digital studio, 4 to a sheet. Took it to the print shop and had them do color printing on my SHIMMER WHITE CARDSTOCK.

Oh yea, this baby sparkles! Then, I cut my layers and stuck it together. Easy peasy simple! I think from start to finish, including the 2 hours out to go get them printed, it took me about 4 hours. So this week, after the party I asked if she would like matching thank you notes.. (who wouldn't) :D

Here's what I came up with. Again, it doesnt get any easier than this to put together, and they look so polished! Someone at the print shop asked me if I do wedding invitations.. I guess... now I do! :D

Helpful MDS Links:

• Join the MDS community online at http://mydigitalstudio.net
• Price List for Printing
• Dont have MDS? Click here to purchase it now!
• Latest Digital Downloads (pdf)
  
• Downloads from March 1st (pdf)
  
• Shop all Digital Downloads
  

Enough information for you?!? :D There's so much to share when it comes to my digital studio. I hope you have time to check it out!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have some time to stamp4fun!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene~

Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge

Good afternoon friends!

I have to say, the picture does not do this card justice, and I'm having trouble with my photoshop... I hope I can get it fixed this week.. I edited this in a backup program so I could get it posted... Total bummer!

Written earlier:
Finally Tuesday and I have a few minutes to breath here before my crew comes in for stamp club tonight.. This card was **almost**one of my club projects, but I didnt have enough SALE A BRATION designer paper left to use all one color for the 6 panels in the background.. Out of my comfort zone a little, this is very bright using the multiple patterns. I really {heart} this sketch from Karen Giron over on her blog Sweet Sunday!

It IS bright, cheery and summery... This card actually uses two different SAB sets. The flowers are from Sweet Summer, and the whimsical sentiment from the "So Happy For You" set. Both sets, and the designer paper, {oh and the buttons} shown are available for FREE with every $50 in purchases you make (merchandise total) with Stampin' Up! Such a cool time of year!

Anyway, I stamped the image in stoft suede, and used blender pens and ink pads to color the sweet, whimsical image. On the blue strip across, I stamped the floral pattern in versamark. The very vanilla circle was punched from the 2 1/2" circle by Stampin' Up! and I used the 3" circle die from the mini catalog for the pacific point base.

The tricky part was cutting the 6 rectangles, they measure, 1 5/8" x 1 7/8" tall...

So my measurements are:
Base: Crumb cake card stock 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored and folded in half at 4 1/4"
Layer 2: 6 pieces of dsp measuring 1 5/8" wide x 1 7/8" tall
Layer 3: 1 x 5 1/2" strip of pacific point card stock
Layer 4: 3" pacific point die cut ~ sizzix machine
Layer 5: 2 1/2" circle vanilla ~ from a punch

I used linen thread to dress up the button with the delicate bow. I have another hour or two before my next club crew come to visit! I'm always in a good mood on club weeks! I just miss everyone!

I also want to tell you that I have some surprises coming for you in the next few weeks! I hope you'll be as excited as I am with the developments. I hope you have time to stamp4fun this week!

Rubbah hugs,
Selene

Mojo Monday ~ My little girl is turning 6

My daughter Alexis and apple of my eye, will be turning 6 this month.

Her birthday is right around Thanksgiving, so I pushed her "kids" birthday party up to this coming Saturday. When I saw this morning's mojo sketch, I saw THIS CARD in my head.. Have you ever done that? I just KNEW that I wanted to make THIS CARD and get a jump on the thank you's for the children who attend her party. However, it's a lot prettier than I saw in my head.. I LOVE THIS CARD!

I don't think the picture does it justice. Alexis is a very girly girl and likes anything with glitter. This morning, I feel truly inspired by my daughter and created this card for her to be able to send after the party...

I started with the greeting card kids stamp set.. I added a little cupcake to her "heart card" and yes, I cut it by hand. I added tiny self adhesive pearls to her dress and some vintage ribbon to tie it all together. I embossed with the vintage embossing folder from Stampin' Up!

I colored the dress with a blushing bride marker color, and used an aqua painter to move the color around the dress. I added some smootch to the every top of the dress, her hair and the cupcake to add a bit of shimmer.
What a delightful sketch this week. Thanks for the inspiration.

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Cards And Things Challenge ~ A Sketch!

Good Morning Friends!

I'm so VERY excited about this sketch challenge from my GF Krista today over on the cards and things challenge blog... I'm the guest designer this month, and that job is really easy with such a great sketch artist at the helm.

I can see this as a sketch I'll return to over and over again. Clean simple, and gorgeous... this went together in a matter of minutes.

This card is for a really wonderful long distance friend that I'm so grateful for... Of course I have lots of long distance friends. This one happens to be in my down line and she's been going through some stuff.. I hope this brightens her day.

Well I'm sure you're wondering what that paper is from... Well, it's a sneak peek from the new holiday mini catalog!! Isn't it gorgeous? Well, it's textured and feels like heavy duty card stock, it's not your standard designer paper.

The "Grateful" stamp is stamped in pear pizazz, on so saffron paper, then sponged all the way around with pear again.

I popped that entire 2 1/2" layer up on dimensionals and added a double bow with glue dots. I stamped the "for you" from the same stamp set... it was a long phrase, that I just omitted and used the "for you" by inking with markers. Then I punched the mini tag and attached it with a glue dot..

Easy peasy, rice and cheesy! :) (boy, I'm in a good mood!)....

I decorated the inside by adding an eyelet border punch across the top. I hope you're having a wonderful week!

Selene Kempton~

Saturday Sketch Challenge 164

Happy Weekend Everyone! TGIF!

I'm very excited to bring you another sketch for stamping 411. If you're a new stamper or a seasoned professional, sketch challenges are a great jumping off point when you're trying to design a card.

What a challenge does for me is, it takes one of the "decisions" out of the your card making process. :) When you do a color challenge... Same thing! You look at the colors and see what you have that will fit what you've done.

So moving on to my card for this week. This stamp set, Just Believe, from Stampin' Up! is one of my favorite new sets. I love the floral images and how there is a birthday, thank you, and inspirational saying... In addition there are a few floral images that I think are super versatile.

I chose to use Whisper white, Old Olive and Concord Crush. All the images are inked up with markers.

So here are my measurements... A little more detailed than normal, but that's a good thing, right?

Base layer: 11 x 4 1/4" scored and folded in half at 5 1/2"
Layer 2: 4 1/8" x 5 3/8 (this is 1/8" smaller than the base layer and 1/8" larger than layer 3 ~ which is two lines on your paper cutter if you have 16 lines between the one inch marker)
Layer 3: 4 x 5 1/4" Layer 4: 3 3/4" square
Layer 4A: (i used the ribbon border punch to make the scallops, then attached it to the back of layer 4.. the strip was 3 3/4" long so it matched up perfectly.
Layer 5: (level 1 hostess set in color paper pack) cut to 3 5/8" (which is 1/8" smaller than layer 4.

All the layers above that were stamped on scraps and either cut or punched with punches. :)

I'm off to camp for the weekend! and I'm so excited! I hope you have time to play along with the stamping 411 operators and try a sketch this week! It's so much fun! I always try and see what everyone is doing and leave feedback, so join us wont you? :D

Rubbah hugs,
Selene Kempton

Sneak peek at this weeks stamp a stack class

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week will be Ronald McDonald card night here at my home. Class attendees will make 12 cards, (3 of each, 4 designs) for $30 and get this ronald mcDonald house set free! (retail value $14.95).

There are 4 spots left. Contact me today to reserve your seat at e.selene@verizon.net.

Contribute to the cause of Making a Difference in the lives of children served by Ronald McDonald House Charities with the Very Thankful stamp set. Not only will you be able to share your thanks with others with these delightful images, but you will have the gratitude of the children and families who benefit from the donation of $2 per set that Stampin' Up! contributes from the proceeds of this stamp set.